HK Customs Tightens Restrictions on Soft Resistance, No More ‘Banned Book Paradise’

Two mainland tourists purchase banned books at a newsstand in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on July 30, 2014. (Adrian Yu/The Epoch Times)

Since the Cold War era, Hong Kong has been known as the “paradise of banned books in China”—books politically restricted in communist China or deemed undesirable by the “Free China” authorities in Taiwan circulated freely under Hong Kong’s publishing freedom. However, since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, which established a precedent for prosecuting individuals based on their speech, and recent statements by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Louise Ho Pui-shan, indicating stricter checks on the import and export of “soft resistance” items to and from mainland China, a new wave of “red terror” has arisen. The Hong Kong government has taken strong actions against publications in recent years, marking the end of the “banned book paradise.”

Ms. Ho emphasized in an article in the pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao on Aug. 8 that Hong Kong Customs would “strictly inspect ’soft resistance’ items entering Hong Kong or being transported to the mainland, effectively safeguarding political security.” This raised public questions about the definition of “soft resistance.”

Since taking office in 2021, Ms. Ho has already stated that the main focus of Customs’ future work would be “safeguarding national security” and “preventing terrorist activities.” She mentioned that cases involving firearms, ammunition, and small arms imported into Hong Kong had decreased. Still, vigilance was necessary against “soft resistance” items such as books, magazines, and daily necessities.

State-Owned Enterprise Executives and Chinese Officials Eager for ‘Banned Books’

Since the opening of free travel for mainland Chinese tourists to Hong Kong in the 2000s, buying politically banned books in Hong Kong has become a trend among mainland visitors. Banned books were sold in thousands of chain convenience stores and newsstands across the city and became a major attraction for mainland Chinese visiting second-floor bookstores in Hong Kong.

Ms. Hu, who had worked at a well-known international investment bank in Hong Kong, recounted the peak of the “banned book” phenomenon in an interview with The Epoch Times. From 2012 to 2014, the head of her bank’s China team often “had her fill his suitcase with politically banned books during trips to mainland China. He would then distribute these books to executives of state-owned enterprises and local officials.”

Ms. Hu also recalled that during a birthday party for a bank executive in 2014, executives of state-owned enterprises attending the party were browsing these “taboo” materials online, with some even having privileged access that did not require a VPN to circumvent the Great Firewall. “They (executives of state-owned enterprises and local officials) are quite enthusiastic about these books [politically banned books]. In banning these books, some Hong Kong government officials seem more ”leftist“ than mainland officials.”

Prominent Political Cartoonist’s Non-Political Works Removed

Since the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law, authorities have invoked national security to purge public libraries, banning many books authored by pro-democracy leaders. Books covering topics like the June 4 Incident and civil disobedience have also disappeared from public libraries.

A well-known cartoonist, Zunzi, has been creating political cartoons satirizing current affairs since the 1980s. However, after repeated accusations by official sources in 2022, Zunzi’s cartoon series in the “Ming Pao” newspaper was discontinued in May 2023. The removal from the libraries extended to his works and other projects he was involved in, including more than 20 items in total such as his comics, collaborative works, and audio recordings. This erasure has sparked criticism from internet users who accused authorities of attempting to erase collective memory.

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In addition to Zunzi’s collected comic works such as “Black Materials Comic Collection” and “Nonsense: The Second Collection of Zunzi’s Comics,” several other works to which he contributed illustrations or were edited by other individuals or organizations have also been removed. These include “Black Cyclone,” written by Huang Liu, “Mom’s Birthday Gift,” and “Going to the Park for a Walk,” published by Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrolment Education (SLCO) Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Furthermore, the audio recording material produced by Radio Television Hong Kong titled “Top 10 Books of 2004: Cartoonist Zunzi Recommends ‘Human Music,’” has also been taken down from public libraries.

Exhibitors Withdraw from Book Fair

As for Jimmy Pang Chi-ming, his publishing house Subculture published satirical books during the 2000s, including “Old Clueless Tung” mocking former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, and “Broomhead” mocking the then-Secretary for Security Regina Ip. The company also published several books commenting on current affairs. In 2021, after the National Security Law was enacted, Pang said he would not bring politically oriented books to book fairs to avoid trouble. He would only continue selling books related to Cantonese culture.

By 2022, many authors had reduced their publications due to changes in the social environment. He lamented, “There are no writers, no commentators, resulting in fewer contributions, and even no authors.” As a result, he decided not to participate in the 2022’s book fair.

In 2023, his works in public libraries were taken down, including books like “Thirteen Beliefs for Young People” encouraging positive thinking among the Youth, and “Hong Kong Cantonese Stands Strong,” a book about Cantonese Culture.

Banned Books Available in Mainland Libraries

Ironically, many of Pang’s books removed from Hong Kong’s public libraries can still be found for borrowing on the libraries’ websites in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

On May 21, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, questioned whether removing books from Hong Kong’s public libraries was overkill. He hoped the government would reconsider such moves and evaluate whether they were necessary. He also believed that similar incidents in the future should be handled with a more lenient approach unless absolutely necessary.

Ms. Hu lamented that Deng Xiaoping had originally proposed the “one country, two systems” concept, “understanding that the international community wouldn’t accept the Communist Party’s ways. But now, “one country, two systems” has turned into “one country,” and Hong Kong has lost its previous freedoms. She criticized that a group of Hong Kong politicians don’t necessarily understand politics and are only focused on toeing the party line and pleasing their bosses, which she finds disheartening.

 When Chief Executive John Lee was questioned on May 16 by the media about removing books related to pro-democracy figures and even non-political books from public libraries, he was asked about how this related to national security risks and if the government’s lack of transparency regarding book review standards could undermine Hong Kong’s freedom of information. Lee responded that these books are still available for purchase in private bookstores. He stated that public libraries must ensure their responsibilities regarding potentially inappropriate books. He also mentioned that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department would examine whether the books in question are “illegal” and whether their content spreads harmful messages about Hong Kong. He expressed confidence in the “professional” judgment of the staff.

Veteran Journalist: Hong Kong Is ‘Shooting Itself in the Foot’

Veteran Hong Kong journalist Ng Chi-sum commented that authorities’ constant mention of “soft resistance” seems to have become a governing policy, gradually eroding the “one country, two systems” framework in every aspect of Hong Kong. Mr. Ng stated that the Chinese Communist Party came to power through both “the barrel of a gun” and “the power of the pen,” with the latter referring to propaganda. This is why they attach importance to ideological materials, leading to increased scrutiny by customs. He noted that self-censorship already exists in Hong Kong, with many authors choosing not to publish their books in Hong Kong. “Even if publishers are willing to do so, printing companies are hesitant; even if they are printed, distribution might not be possible. “As a result, some Hong Kong individuals publish books in Taiwan and bring them back to sell. Mr. Ng worries that customs’ future actions might ruin this publishing approach, even if books are purchased through mail order.

Mr. Ng admitted that he was not surprised by the development of the matter, pointing out that books related to dissidents had been taken off the shelves at the public libraries. Although the Chief Executive, Mr. Lee, claimed that the books were still available for sale, Mr. Ng is worried that it may change, even though the books concerned were available to members of the public at the book fair and the authors were on hand to autograph the book.

Mr. Ng stated that Hong Kong is regressing in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and more. He criticized that “reading, publishing, and purchasing books are all regressing, making Hong Kong fall behind mainland Chinese cities.” He described these actions as “shooting itself in the foot.” He explained that some books removed from Hong Kong’s public libraries can still be borrowed from mainland Chinese libraries, which makes Hong Kong appear like a second-rate mainland city.” He emphasized that Hong Kong is now “de-two-systems,” meaning that Hong Kong is no longer distinct from ordinary mainland Chinese cities.